Casten Secures Over $2 Million for Projects in IL-06
Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2026) — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) successfully secured over $2 million in federal investment for local projects throughout the 6th Congressional District in government funding bills passed by the House of Representatives.
The funding includes $950,000 for research equipment at Elmhurst University and $1.1 Million for the City of Palos Heights to ensure residents of Palos and Northwestern Community Hospital have a secondary water source, should the primary source become compromised. The projects were selected by Rep. Casten as two of 15 Community Funding Projects in the 6th Congressional District.
“I’m incredibly proud to have advocated for and secured over $2 million for the 6th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “This funding helps ensure folks in our community always have access to clean drinking water and that our local universities have the top-notch technology necessary to stay at the forefront of medical research.”
The legislation should soon receive consideration in the Senate and become law. Rep. Casten expects additional Community Project Funding for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District to pass the House later this month.
Information on the Community Project Funding for Elmhurst University and the City of Palos can be found below.
In addition to securing this Community Project Funding, Rep. Casten also successfully advocated for $41 million for the Morton Arboretum, including $14 million for Landscape Sale Restoration and $37 million for Urban and Community Forestry.
“Morton Arboretum is one of the true treasures of the 6th District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “This funding will go a long way towards improving forestry throughout the Chicagoland area.”
Community Project Funding Information
Project Sponsor: Elmhurst University’s Health Sciences Research Equipment
Project Address: 190 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, 60126
Amount Secured: $950,000
Project Description: $950,000 for the purchase of equipment to advance cutting-edge technology research in the field of health sciences. The equipment will create a modern skills lab where researchers can practice and demonstrate assessment and intervention skills in a realistic and convenient setting. The technological settings will mirror various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, and operating theaters to fully immerse researchers in the clinical experience. The lab and simulation spaces will have life-like mannequins and modern medical equipment, including an anatomy table and a high-tech, 3D anatomy system. This new technology will enable researchers to conduct studies that have the potential to advance the field of health sciences significantly.
Project Sponsor: City of Palos Heights
Project Address: 7607 W College Drive, Palos Heights IL 60463
Amount Secured: $1.1 Million
Project Description: This project will upgrade the 80th Ave Pump Station to provide the City of Palos and the Northwestern Community Hospital with a secondary water source in an event the primary source becomes compromised.
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